Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Inspiration: Old and New

Sorry for the light content of these posts, but I've been pulled in too many directions to translate thoughts to coherent content here on the blog, so bear with me until things calm (if they calm).

Jane, a knitter from Tulsa, sent me this photo of her unbelievable finished Whiteness of the Whale (being modeled in Stitches of Tulsa):

I love the pale gray color. It reminds me of Matt Kish's illustration of Timor Tom, another famous whale mentioned in Moby-Dick. I'm going to have to knit one of these for myself. Technically I could wear the sample, but with my history of light-colored clothing and coffee spills, I avoid it. Gray would be good for me.

And now, more inspiration in no particular order:

Container ships and shipbreaking:

Would anyone be interested in accessory designs based on container ships and shipbreaking? Anyone? I'm thinking . . . a club. Is this crazy? Am I off on one of my totally unmarketable ideas?

Baltimore graffiti:

A shipment from Sweet Fiber—all sorts of White Whale and shipbreaking goodness in those colors. The golden yellow on the bottom left is already being knit into a sample for White Whale Vol. 2. Sweet Fiber's specialty is "colored grays," and wow, is it ever. These yarns are STUNNING and the picture doesn't do them justice—I hope the finished projects will.

Containers and container ships? Great idea. Have you read Spook Country by William Gibson, in which a particular container and how it moves around (and even its painted exterior) drive the plot. Living on the coast containers are part of the daily scenery - our local fish and chip shop made one into their restaurant/kitchen!

ummmm.... I'm dittoing Junebug!! but whatever it is, I'm sure you would design something fantastic around it!!! In Christchurch, New Zealand, a shopping mall has been built with containers after the downtown area is uninhabitable after the earthquakes - recycling at its best!!

You might want to look at my friend Jane Sprague's small press-- http://www.palmpress.org

She publishes really interesting work (poetry and essays mainly) and herself has done some compelling writing on the ports at Long Beach, CA. Plus, she's a knitter. She's the person who first taught me how to knit hats!

Hi Ann - I love the idea of a ship breaking theme for a club/something-along. I love the thought of unusual and/or esoteric ideas for clubs. So count me interested for sure. The geometric possibilities are numerous as well!Rita